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Enough Clowning around for this Circus Clown

Chicago resident was the winner of 177.6 million dollar Big Pay Day jackpot from the Saturday, March 15th drawing! The ticket was purchased at a local Thornton’s Gas station. Coincidence? I THINK NOT, considering he’s been playing the lottery for years. Some people may say it’s a waste of time and money. Not for Mr. John Thomas who never spends more than 1$ on a lottery ticket. Mr. Thomas is a former magician, and current traveling circus clown. He plans to continue working and has high hopes to having 11 beautiful children and start a family circus business! On top of the family business John has plans to give back to his own community, (by opening a music foundation for kids.) John stated earlier, “it only takes 1.” This is very true for Mr. Thomas it only takes one time and APPARENTLY only 1 dollar!

The winning numbers have sentimental meaning for John. 8- because he met his wife on November 8th. 11- John hopes to have 11 kids. 22- Because it’s his lucky number. 23-it’s Michael Jordan’s Lucky Number. 31- Days he will never see in February. Why Powerball 10? Well it just so happens that John Thomas was on his way to Thornton’s Gas station for some milk and bread. He decided to buy his ticket. This was the 10th time he’s been to Thornton’s to play this lottery.

Quality guy. Mr. Thomas is a former magician, and a current traveling circus clown. He plans to continue working and has high hopes to having 11 beautiful children and start a family circus business! On top of the family business John has plans to give back to his community. We all know actor Jack Black? Well He’s got nothing on this guy. John inspires to open a music foundation, and refers to it with having the same concept as the School of Rock.

While John’s waiting to hear congratulations from family members, he also plans to travel to places that he’s never seen, like Europe. During a press conference John stated, “It’s a game of luck, and it only takes 1. The Lottery is controlled chaos, but it’s the nature of the beast- and it does change how people live.”

As John would say.. “And the Rest is History.” A trip to the local gas station for bread and milk, turns into a life changing experience for tatted up Chicago resident John Thomas!

Nail Biting Atmosphere..Or was it?

Just like the day John Thomas won the lottery, it was an 80 degree day in Chicago, and an absolute sauna in the conference room. Reporters were lined up for hours waiting to get appointed to the press conference to speak to Chicago’s new millionaire. As the reporters filed in, snatching the best spots to get as close to Mr. Thomas as humanly possible, I patiently awaited. Than I pounced my way past a pack of hungry reporters going at each other like starved hyenas. At this rate you would think President Barack Obama was coming in for an interview. After more waiting..Let me remind you this room was hotter than a red line during rush hour on a summer afternoon. The time had come. Making his way to the front podium was Mr. John Thomas himself. To my surprise he looked rather ordinary, and very at ease might I add. He was sporting a black and white argyle, with his tattoos peeking out from the sleeve. At this point I was very taken back. As the questions started piling in, the reporters seemed more on edge than John. I felt as if he was at a family reunion shooting the news with some old friends! He was actually quite amusing, cracking jokes here and there remaining very modest. He took the questions very well and answered them honestly. He even got a taste of the absurd interview questions. I did what I needed to do and tipped my hat off to John. Touche’ Handled it like a champ.